In the studio
George Harrison brought ‘Something’ to The Beatles during the Get Back/Let It Be sessions. On 28 January 1969 they played five versions of the song, which still lacked some lyrics and final chords.
Harrison can be heard on the tapes asking for help finishing it off. “Just say what comes into your head each time,” John Lennon tells him. “‘Attracts me like a cauliflower’. Until you get the word.” The Beatles also played ‘Something’ twice the following day, although it was still far from ready to record.
Following Harrison’s 25 February 1969 solo demo, The Beatles began recording ‘Something’ again on 16 April 1969, at EMI’s Studio Two. Ringo Starr was unavailable due to recording commitments for The Magic Christian.
The Beatles taped 13 instrumental takes in this initial session, with Harrison on rhythm guitar, Paul McCartney on drums, Lennon on bass guitar, and George Martin on piano.
A re-make of ‘Something’ was begun on 2 May, with Starr back on drums.
This time 36 takes were recorded. McCartney’s bass guitar was on track one; Starr’s drums on track two; Harrison’s guitar on three; and Lennon’s piano on track four. From take nine onwards, a second output from Harrison’s guitar amplifier was fed through a Leslie speaker, which was recorded onto track six.
On takes 27-36, at the song’s close, Lennon led the band into a jam. This four-chord sequence in 6/8 time was later re-recorded faster by Lennon as the basis for the song ‘Remember’, which appeared on his 1970 album Plastic Ono Band.
The tape machines were switched off after a few seconds of these jams, apart from on the final attempt, take 36. The additional playing extended the song’s running time by nearly five minutes, to a running time of 7:48.
On 5 May, at Olympic Sound Studios, McCartney overdubbed another bass part, and Harrison taped his guitar solo.
‘Something’ was then left until 11 July, when Harrison recorded his lead vocal, Billy Preston added an organ part, and the song was edited down to 5’32’.
Paul started playing a bass line that was a little elaborate, and George told him, ‘No, I want it simple.’ Paul complied. There wasn’t any disagreement about it, but I did think that such a thing would never happened in years past. George telling Paul how to play the bass? Unthinkable! But this was George’s baby, and everybody knew it was an instant classic.
Music Radar
It was later reported that Harrison re-recorded his lead guitar part during the 15 August orchestral overdub session. However, the take 37 reduction mix made on 11 July contains Harrison’s final solo, indicating that it was in fact recorded on 5 May.
Handclaps and McCartney’s backing vocals were added on 16 July. Recording was finally finished almost a month later, on 15 August, when the strings were overdubbed.
The final multitrack tape of ‘Something’ – named take 39 after various reduction mixes were made to free up space – included the following:
- Track one: lead guitar and descending piano notes
- Track two: drums and overdubbed percussion
- Track three: orchestra
- Track four: orchestra
- Track five: bass guitar
- Track six: guitar fed through Leslie speaker
- Track seven: Harrison’s double-tracked lead vocals, and McCartney’s harmony vocals
- Track eight: Hammond organ
‘Something’ was completed on 19 August, when the extended instrumental jam was finally edited from the end.
Chart success
Initially released on the Abbey Road album, the song was subsequently issued in the US and UK as a double a-side single, along with ‘Come Together’, on 6 October 1969. In the UK it was the only time that a single was taken from an already-released Beatles album; previously they had either released songs ahead of their albums, or on the same day.
‘Something’ was George’s first single, released in October. It was a great song, and frankly I was surprised that George had it in him.
Anthology
‘Something’ peaked at number four in the UK. In America it fared better, topping the Billboard chart for a week. It also marked the first time a George Harrison song was the a-side of a Beatles single.
Never liked this song. I don’t like George’s songs in general. What’s funny to me about Geo is that he has two of the biggest Beatles hits with Something and Here Comes the Sun and they are both so granny and mainstream exactly what he complained about with Paul’s music. But here your are….granny music, his words, not mine.
It was actually John who called Paul’s songs, “Granny music”
But George backed John and called Paul’s songs fruity which was just as derisive. I like Something but it’s nowhere near my favourite.
“Holly”,
I respect your opinion, but I don’t believe it at all. George is an amazing Songwriter and definitely should have been able to write more Beatles’ songs. I listen to Something literally like EVERY night. It’s beautiful and when I watch the music video I love the part with Maureen and Ringo! They are so cute together
i agree with you holly. the songwriting by harrison is overrated.
A gorgeous song, very nice words, but amazing guitar playing, really exceptional. Thanks George!
This slow ballad was released as a single and was a major hit… Yet a year earlier, “Revolution” (eventually known as “Revolution 1”) was considered to be “too slow” to be released as a single???
In response to “Holly,” the harmonies and modulations in “Something” are complex and difficult to master. The chording on guitars is sophisticated and nuanced. I don’t think my granny could master the song and instruments in “Something.”
What a sexist and ageist comment. Many grannies are or have been in the music industry in case you’ve forgotten. Also in theatre, literature, poetry, science, sport and just about everything else. What planet are you on?
Damn you hit the spot!
100% agreed also definitely won’t tell me granny lol
This article states: “An organ part by Billy Preston was also added at an unknown date”.
But… this date has been well known for several years. Kevin Howlett, in the book included in the Super Deluxe 50th Anniversary Edition of Abbey Road (2019), indicates that it was exactly July 11, 1969 (Studio Two, Abbey Road).
Howlett actually says: “After overdubbing on 5 May at Olympic Sound Studios and further work at Abbey Road on 11 and 16 July, more parts were now present on the eight-track tape, including Billy Preston playing organ.” He doesn’t say that Preston recorded his part on 11 July. Is there other documentation that says so?
Thank you Joe for your response. What you quote is on page 29 of this book. A little earlier, on page 27, there is a text that mentions the date directly:
“Additional instruments:
Billy Preston: organ
Recorded: 11 July 1969 – Studio Two, Abbey Road”.
Below, Howlet also indicates the day the string section was recorded (August 15, 1969).
I can’t believe I missed that! Thank you, I’ll make the corrections now.
Holly, unlike one of the commenters, I can’t even respect an opinion like yours. It’s a blanket statement that George never wrote anything good, and it has false information in it. I will never understand people like you who just say things without knowing (or caring) if they’re true, and worst of all, get on these forums just to hate. to bring negativity. You don’t like it? Then why are you here? Just another village idiot who should have to earn a voice before being allowed to post anything.